Psalms 25
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary 16 verses
Introduction
The general tone of this Psalm is that of prayer for help from enemies. Distress, however, exciting a sense of sin, humble confession, supplication for pardon, preservation from sin, and divine guidance, are prominent topics. (Psa. 25:1-22)
lift up my soul-- (Psa 24:4; Psa 86:4), set my affections (compare Col 3:2).
Psalms 25:2
not be ashamed--by disappointment of hopes of relief.
Psalms 25:3
The prayer generalized as to all who wait on God--that is, who expect His favor. On the other hand, the disappointment of the perfidious, who, unprovoked, have done evil, is invoked (compare Sa2 22:9).
Psalms 25:4
On the ground of former favor, he invokes divine guidance, according to God's gracious ways of dealing and faithfulness.
Psalms 25:6
Confessing past and present sins, he pleads for mercy, not on palliations of sin, but on God's well-known benevolence.
Psalms 25:8
upright--acting according to His promise.
sinners--the general term, limited by the
meek--who are penitent.
the way--and his way--God's way of providence.
Psalms 25:9
in judgment--rightly.
Psalms 25:10
paths--similar sense--His modes of dealing (compare Psa 25:4).
mercy and truth-- (Job 14:1-22), God's grace in promising and faithfulness in performing.
Psalms 25:11
God's perfections of love, mercy, goodness, and truth are manifested (his name, compare Psa 9:10) in pardoning sin, and the greatness of sin renders pardon more needed.
Psalms 25:12
What he asks for himself is the common lot of all the pious.
Psalms 25:13
inherit the earth--(compare Mat 5:5). The phrase, alluding to the promise of Canaan, expresses all the blessings included in that promise, temporal as well as spiritual.
Psalms 25:14
The reason of the blessing explained--the pious enjoy communion with God (compare Pro 3:21, Pro 3:12), and, of course, learn His gracious terms of pardon.
Psalms 25:15
His trust in God is fixed.
net--is frequently used as a figure for dangers by enemies (Psa 9:15; Psa 10:9).
Psalms 25:16
A series of earnest appeals for aid because God had seemed to desert him (compare Psa 13:1; Psa 17:13, &c.), his sins oppressed him, his enemies had enlarged his troubles and were multiplied, increasing in hate and violence (Psa 9:8; Psa 18:48).
Psalms 25:20
keep my soul-- (Psa 16:1).
put my trust--flee for refuge (Psa 2:12).
Psalms 25:21
In conscious innocence of the faults charged by his enemies, he confidently commits his cause to God. Some refer--
integrity, &c.--to God, meaning His covenant faithfulness. This sense, though good, is an unusual application of the terms.
Psalms 25:22
Extend these blessings to all Thy people in all their distresses.
Next: Psalms Chapter 26